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Arctis Nova Pro (wireless): boosted ANC headsets with DAC cost up to 415 euros

May 25, 2022

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SteelSeries is presenting two headsets that stand out primarily because of their particularly high price. The Arctis Nova Pro and the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are now intended to serve the absolute high-end segment. Also on board are ANC, a DAC and lots of marketing buzzwords.

The press release hits the spot

SteelSeries promises nothing less than “a new era in gaming audio”, there is talk of a “challenge of the status quo” as well as “new standards in the field of hi-fi audio”. At prices of around 280 euros for the wired and 380 euros for the wireless variants, Arctis Nova Pro and Arctis Nova Pro Wireless should offer players the “ultimate listening experience”, of course the words “artificial intelligence”, “audiophile” and “audiophile” also appear in the press release “Innovation”. Ultimately, it's about two new gaming headsets, equipped with active noise cancellation and supplied with a digital-to-analog converter.

Active noise cancellation and 3D Sound

Both headsets use a 40 mm neodymium driver, the frequency range is between 10 and 40,000 Hertz, the impedance is 38 ohms and the sensitivity is 93 decibels. Four microphones integrated into the housing are responsible for the ANC, the fifth microphone is a flip-up directional microphone for voice inputs. Here, too, SteelSeries promises effective suppression of background noise, and keyboard noise can also be filtered out via software using AI. A transparency mode is available at the touch of a button.

The sound should also benefit from 360° spatial audio, and the Arctis Nova Pro models are compatible with Sony's and Microsoft's respective specific implementations. All of this affects the weight: the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless weighs 338 grams. Height-adjustable and rotatable ear cups as well as four setting levels for the swiveling steel bracket should still ensure comfort.

DAC station with OLED display and two batteries

Arctis Nova Pro and Nova Pro Wireless are connected via an included digital-to-analog converter called GameDac Gen 2; it is ESS' Saber 9218PQ40. Since a total of two USB-C inputs are available, users can choose between the PC and a console as the audio source at the push of a button. For this purpose, among other things, the DAC has an OLED display. The volume and equalizer can also be adjusted in this way. Additional software options are available on the PC, and the sound profile can also be fully customized.

In the case of the wireless variant, in addition to the primary 2.4 GHz connection via Bluetooth, a second audio signal can also be picked up – for example, to answer a call via smartphone while playing. So that players never encounter the problem of an empty battery, SteelSeries includes two battery modules with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The battery can be replaced within eight seconds, and one charge lasts for 18 to 22 hours, depending on use. A fifteen-minute charge should also provide enough charge for three hours of use.

Available immediately at the highest prices

According to SteelSeries, the Arctis Nova Pro and Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are available now in one variant for Xbox and other platforms, and in a second variant for all platforms except Xbox. The prices are around the said 280 euros for the wired and 380 euros for the wireless versions.

A look at the top models of the competition shows that Steelseries has set the price very high. Corsair's Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is listed in the price comparison from around 230 euros, beyerdynamic's MMX 300 costs about the same and Logitech's G Pro X Lightspeed is around 150 euros. Razer's Nari Ultimate is the cheapest flagship headset in the group, costing 130 euros.

And it can be even more expensive: SteelSeries also sells three-piece “booster packs” with which the ear cups and the inside of the temples of the Arctis headset can be colour-adjusted. This boosts the prices by a further 35 euros to 415 euros for an Arctis Nova Pro Wireless with color accents. The packages are available in the colors red, lavender, mint green and pink.